JP3721728B2 - Sheet-shaped display medium, sheet-shaped display device, and method for manufacturing sheet-shaped display medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet-like display medium, a sheet-like display device, and a method for manufacturing the sheet-like display medium using an electrophoretic phenomenon, and in particular, a sheet-like display medium, a sheet-like display device, and a sheet having high substitute characteristics of paper. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a state display medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The development of information processing equipment in recent years has greatly improved the productivity of office work, but has also led to a significant increase in consumption of information paper. This is not preferable from the viewpoint of protecting the global environment. On the other hand, paper recycling, non-wood paper, development of rewritable sheet-like display media, etc. have been eagerly advanced. Each of them has a purpose according to the application, but in particular, a rewritable sheet-shaped display medium is manufactured once and delivered to the user. It is expected to bring value as a tool.
[0003]
As such a conventional sheet-like display device, for example, there is one shown in USP 4,126,854.
12 (a) and 12 (b) show the sheet-like display device. As shown in FIG. 12A, the sheet-like display device 100 is a two-color particle rotating type, and includes a display body 110 and a driving device 120 that drives the display body 110. The display body 110 includes a transparent support 112 that supports a plurality of two-color particles 111 arranged in a two-dimensional manner. As shown in FIG. 12B, the support 112 forms cavities 112 a around the two-color particles 111, fills the cavities 112 a with a transparent liquid 113, and floats the two-color particles 111 in the liquid 113. I am letting. The two-color particle 111 is configured such that a black display region 111a and a white display region 111b are formed for each hemisphere, the surface of the liquid 113 is different, and the particle 111 as a whole has a constant net charge. ing. In the case of the figure, the black display area 111a has a positive charge, the white display area 113b has a negative charge, and has a positive net charge. The driving device 120 includes a vertical linear electrode group 121 disposed on the display side A of the display body 110, a first substrate 122 that supports the electrode group 121, and a side B opposite to the display side A of the display body 110. And a second substrate 124 that supports the electrode group 123, and a power source 125 that applies a voltage to both the electrode groups 121 and 123 according to an image signal.
[0004]
In the sheet-like display device 100 configured as described above, when a voltage is applied from the power source 125 to both electrode groups 121 and 123 in accordance with an image signal and an electric field is applied to the display body 110 from the outside, the two-color particles 111 are in a dipole shape. Rotational motion is generated as necessary so as to take a stable posture with respect to the direction of the electric field from the surface charge distribution. As a result, the hemisphere corresponding to the image signal can be directed to the image viewer on the display side A, and an image composed of white and black can be displayed. Furthermore, since the two-color particles 111 have a constant net charge as a whole, the two-color particles 111 cause a translational motion simultaneously with the rotational motion and adhere to the wall of the cavity 112a. Once attached to the wall of the cavity 112a, even if the electric field is removed, the two-color particles 111 try to stay on the wall of the cavity 112a due to an adhesive force such as electrostatic force or van der Waals force, and this gives no power image retention. ing. In addition, since image writing can be performed only by electric field control, high-speed display is possible by two-dimensional driving or the like, and high contrast is easily obtained by adding a dye.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional sheet-like display device 100, when electrostatic noise such as frictional charging during handling enters from the outside after the electric field is removed, the two-color particles 111 rotate in the direction of the electric field, When mechanical vibration or impact is applied, the two-color particles 111 may be separated from the wall of the cavity 112a due to the difference in specific gravity between the two-color particles 111 and the liquid 113, and the non-power-supply image retention may be impaired. For example, the specific gravity of the two-color particles 111 is 1.1 to 1.3, and the specific gravity of the isoparaffinic hydrocarbon or silicone oil used for the surrounding liquid 113 is 0.8 to 1.0. There is a specific gravity difference of around 0.25.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a sheet-like shape having high image quality, high-speed response, non-power-supply image retention that is sufficiently stable against electrostatic noise and mechanical vibration, and high substitute characteristics of paper. It is an object to provide a display medium, a sheet-like display device, and a method for manufacturing the sheet-like display medium.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sheet-like display medium that holds a displayed image. The surface is relatively positively and negatively charged and has a positive or negative net charge as a whole. A plurality of display elements each having a plurality of display areas for displaying a plurality of colors;Have multiple cavities,The plurality of display elementsFilled into the plurality of cavitiesIn translucent liquidRotation according to the direction of electric field applied from outsideA transparent sheet-like support body that is suspended and arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and the plurality of display elements are enclosed in a hollow portion and a shell having a hollow portion,The display elementThere is provided a sheet-like display medium comprising a liquid controlled to have substantially the same specific gravity as the translucent liquid.
[0008]
    In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sheet-like display device that displays and holds an image, the surface is relatively positively and negatively charged, and has a positive or negative net charge as a whole, A plurality of display elements each having a plurality of display areas for displaying a plurality of colors on the surface; a plurality of cavities; and an image display surface on one side; A transparent sheet-like support that is rotated in accordance with the direction of an electric field applied from the outside in the light-transmitting liquid filled in the cavity and is floated so as to be capable of translational movement and arranged in a two-dimensional manner; An electric field applying means for applying an electric field in a direction according to an image signal to the display element to direct one of the plurality of display regions to the image display surface, the plurality of display elements including a shell having a hollow portion; Enclosed in the hollow part Is to provide a sheet-like display device, wherein the display element is a controlled liquid so as to have the light transmitting liquid is substantially the same specific gravity.
[0009]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for producing a sheet-like display medium for holding a displayed image, wherein the surface is relatively positively and negatively charged and has a positive or negative net charge as a whole. A plurality of display elements having a plurality of display areas for displaying a plurality of colors on the surface, and arranging the plurality of display elements two-dimensionally inside a transparent sheet-like rubber member. And supporting the sheet-like rubber member in the translucent liquidRotation according to the direction of electric field applied from outsideThe sheet-like rubber member is immersed to swell, thereby supporting the plurality of display elements by suspending them in the light-transmitting liquid.The display elementProvided is a method for producing a sheet-like display medium, wherein a liquid controlled to have substantially the same specific gravity as that of the translucent liquid is covered with a shell.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1A shows a mounted state of the sheet-like display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B shows a separated state thereof. The sheet-like display device 1 includes a sheet-like display medium 2 and a drive device 3 that drives the sheet-like display medium 2, and the sheet-like display medium 2 is inserted into the drive device 3 in the direction of arrow X in FIG. And can be withdrawn.
[0011]
The sheet-like display medium 2 includes a transparent support 21 that supports a plurality of display elements 20 arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and a transparent protective layer 23 that covers the surface of the support 21. The support 21 forms a cavity 21 a around each display element 20, fills the cavity 21 a with a transparent liquid 24, and floats the display element 20 in the liquid 24.
[0012]
For the support 21, for example, a transparent elastomer such as silicone rubber can be used. For the protective layer 23, for example, a transparent plastic film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film can be used.
[0013]
The driving device 3 has a case 30 made of transparent plastic or the like. The case 30 includes a mounting opening 30a in which the sheet display medium 2 is mounted and a contact portion 30b for positioning the sheet display medium 2. A transparent vertical linear electrode group 31 is disposed on the inner surface of the display side A of the mounting opening 30a, and a horizontal linear electrode group 32 is disposed on the inner surface of the non-display side B of the mounting opening 30a. . Further, the driving device 3 includes a driving circuit 33 that drives the sheet-like display medium 2 in the case 30.
[0014]
The vertical linear electrode group 31 is formed by forming a plurality of vertical linear electrodes 31b made of a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO) in a stripe shape through a transparent insulating region 31a. The horizontal linear electrode group 32 is formed by forming a plurality of horizontal linear electrodes in a stripe shape in a direction orthogonal to the vertical linear electrodes 31b via an insulating region. The vertical linear electrode group 31 and the horizontal linear electrode group 32 are driven by switching elements such as thin film transistors provided on the same substrate or different substrates.
[0015]
The drive circuit 33 derives the signal input terminal 33a from the case 30, and applies a DC voltage to both the electrode groups 31 and 32 in accordance with the image signal S input to the signal input terminal 33a, thereby applying an electric field to the display element 20. Is applied.
[0016]
FIG. 2 shows the display element 20. The display element 20 has a hollow spherical shell 200, and a liquid 202 (for example, the same as the liquid 24) controlled so that the display element 20 has substantially the same specific gravity as the liquid 24 is enclosed in the shell 200. It is configured to display two colors. Further, the shell 200 includes a K display area 200K and a W display area 200W in which the outer surface is differently colored in each hemisphere, for example, black (K) and white (W), and the surface is relatively relative in the liquid 24. The display element 20 as a whole has a constant net charge. Here, it is assumed that the K display area 200K has a positive charge, the W display area 200W has a negative charge, and the display element 20 as a whole has a positive net charge. In the present embodiment, one display element 20 constitutes one pixel, but a plurality of display elements 20 may constitute one pixel. As a result, the positional accuracy of the display medium 2 with respect to the driving device 3 (linear electrode groups 31, 32) can be lowered, and multi-gradation display is facilitated.
[0017]
Next, a method for manufacturing the sheet-like display medium 2 according to the first embodiment will be described. First, the display element 20 is manufactured by a general microcapsule manufacturing method. That is, as the liquid 202, for example, microcapsule particles having a diameter of about 100 microns, in which silicone oil is coated with a polyethylene shell 200, are produced, and the surface of the shell 200 is coated with a white paint and a black paint for each hemisphere to form a plurality of display elements 20. Make it. When the shell 200 is a transparent substance and the silicone oil in the microcapsule particles is black, the display element 20 may be manufactured by coating only the hemisphere on the surface of the shell 200 with a white paint. In this case, for example, the microcapsule particles can be lightly fixed on a flat surface, and only the hemisphere on the surface of the shell 200 can be easily coated with a white paint by spraying or vapor deposition.
[0018]
Next, a process for manufacturing the sheet-like display medium 2 using the plurality of display elements 20 color-coded for each hemisphere will be described. A plurality of display elements 20 color-coded for each hemisphere and silicone rubber before curing are mixed, defoamed, and then coated to a thickness of 1 to 3 layers of the display element 20. After the silicone rubber is cured, it is immersed in isoparaffinic hydrocarbon or silicone oil. Then, the silicone rubber swells, and a cavity 21a filled with the liquid 24 is formed around each display element 20 that does not swell. Although the basic functions of the display medium 2 are almost completed, the sheet is laminated with a protective layer 23 of, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate film for use as an alternative to paper.
[0019]
Thus, the sheet-like display medium 2 is completed. The surface of the display element 20 is coated with a coating hemisphere that is not a coated hemisphere or with a different paint for each hemisphere, so that a difference for each hemisphere appears in the interface potential in the liquid 24 automatically. For example, the surface of the black hemisphere has a relatively positive charge and the surface of the white hemisphere has a relatively negative charge, which is a driving force for rotation.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the sheet display device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
(1) Display operation of one display element 20
FIG. 3A shows a white display operation. When an electric field directed from the display side A to the non-display side B is applied to the vertical linear electrode group 31 and the horizontal linear electrode group 32, the display element 20 has a dipole-shaped surface charge distribution in the electric field direction. Rotate as necessary to ensure a stable posture. As a result, a hemisphere corresponding to the image signal is directed toward the image viewer on the display side A, and an image composed of white is displayed. Furthermore, since the display element 20 has a certain net charge as a whole, the display element 20 causes a translational movement simultaneously with the rotational movement and adheres to the wall of the cavity 21a. In the case of FIG. 3A, the display element 20 adheres to the non-display side B wall of the cavity 21a. When the electric field is removed in this state, the display element 20 adheres to the wall of the cavity 21a by an adhesion force such as electrostatic force or van der Waals force, and the display element 20 becomes substantially the same as the specific gravity of the surrounding liquid 24. Therefore, the white display state can be stably maintained.
[0021]
FIG. 3B shows a black display state. When an electric field opposite to the white display is applied to the vertical linear electrode group 31 and the horizontal linear electrode group 32, as shown in FIG. 3B, the display element 20 is placed on the display side A wall of the cavity 21a. Stop with. Even if the electric field is removed in this state, the black display state can be stably maintained as described in the white display state.
[0022]
(2) Display operation of entire sheet-shaped display medium 2
First, the sheet-like display medium 2 on which a new or unnecessary image is displayed is mounted on the driving device 3 and set to the state shown in FIG. When the image signal S is input from the signal input terminal 33a, the drive circuit 33 of the drive device 3 applies a voltage to the vertical linear electrode group 31 and the horizontal linear electrode group 32 in accordance with the image signal S. For example, an image can be displayed two-dimensionally by supplying the image signal S to the vertical linear electrode group 31 and supplying a line selection signal to the horizontal linear electrode group 32 at a desired timing.
[0023]
Each display element 20 of the display medium 2 displays an image on the display side A while taking one of the states shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B depending on the direction of the applied electric field. If the display medium 2 is separated from the driving device 3, it can be handled like a substitute for paper. If the image becomes unnecessary, it can be used repeatedly by being incorporated in the driving device 3 again.
[0024]
According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) Since the specific gravity of the display element 20 is substantially the same as that of the surrounding liquid 24, the position of the display element 20 and the surrounding liquid 24 is difficult to be switched by inertial movement, and also against electrostatic noise and mechanical vibration. Sufficiently stable power-free image retention can be provided. As a result, even if the display medium 2 on which the image information is recorded is separated from the driving device 3, the problem that the image sometimes deteriorated during handling has not occurred at all due to its stable non-powered image retention. The fastness of the image is greatly improved, it can be handled like paper for a long time, and it can be used repeatedly.
(B) Since the electrode combination is a combination of the vertical linear electrode group 31 and the horizontal linear electrode group 32, matrix-like two-dimensional driving can be performed, and only the electrical control can be applied to the display medium 2. Images can be written at high speed. Therefore, excellent high-speed response can be provided.
(C) Since a clear display can be performed by appropriately selecting the color of the surface of the display element 20, a high-quality image can be obtained.
(D) Since the display medium 2 is mounted on the driving device 3, images can be viewed from the image display side A even during image rewriting, and a moving image in which images are rewritten one after another can be viewed. Can also be used.
[0025]
FIG. 4 shows a sheet-like display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the display element 20 is formed in a columnar shape, and a plurality of display elements 20 are arranged and supported in a two-dimensional state in a single-layer state by a support 21 and attached. A matrix-like transparent individual electrode group 34, 34 is arranged on the inner surface of the mouth 30a so as to face each other, and one pixel is composed of n × m (for example, 5 × 5) display elements 20. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0026]
In the individual electrode group 34, a plurality of individual electrodes 34b made of a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO) are formed in a matrix through a transparent insulating region 34a, and are provided on the same substrate or different substrates. It is driven by a switching element such as a thin film transistor.
[0027]
FIG. 5 shows the display element 20. The display element 20 includes a hollow cylindrical shell 200, and a liquid 202 (for example, the same as the liquid 24) in which the specific gravity of the display element 20 is controlled to be substantially the same as the surrounding liquid 24 in the shell 200. Is configured to display four colors. The shell 200 is coated with a plurality of display areas equally divided in different colors in the circumferential direction, for example, a Y display area 200Y painted with yellow (Y) and magenta (M). An M display area 200M, a C display area 200C coated with cyan (C), and a K display area 200K coated with black (K), and the surface is relatively positively and negatively charged in the liquid 24; and The entire display element 20 is configured to have a constant net charge. Here, the surface of the upper semicircle, that is, the upper half of the Y display area 200Y, the M display area 200M, and the upper half of the C display area 200C have a positive charge, and the surface of the lower semicircle, It is assumed that the lower half of the K display area 200K, the M display area 200M, and the lower half of the C display area 200C have a negative charge, and the display element 20 as a whole has a positive net charge.
[0028]
6A and 6B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the display element 20 and the individual electrode group 34. FIG. 6A is a view seen from the thickness direction of the display medium 2, and FIG. It is a figure. The individual electrode group 34 is disposed so as to contact the display medium 2. One pixel 4 includes n × m (for example, 5 × 5) display elements 20. In addition, one pixel 4 is driven by a total of four individual electrodes 34b, two each on the upper and lower sides. In addition, n × m electric fields constituting the pixel 4 are formed in four directions, upward, rightward, leftward, and downward, by a combination of + and − of the DC voltage applied to the four individual electrodes 34 b that drive one pixel 4. The display element 20 is uniformly applied. By configuring one pixel 4 with a plurality of display elements 20 (for example, about 25), the positional accuracy of the display medium 2 with respect to the driving device 3 can be lowered, and the display medium 2 can be easily attached and detached. .
[0029]
Next, a method for manufacturing the sheet-like display medium 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. First, the display element 20 is manufactured by a general microcapsule manufacturing method. That is, cylindrical microcapsule particles in which the liquid 202 is coated with the polyester shell 200 are manufactured, and the surface of the shell 200 is coated with paints of each color of Y, M, C, and K every 90 ° to form a plurality of display elements 20. Is made. On the other hand, silicone rubber constituting the lower layer side of the support 21 is thinly applied in a sheet form on a Teflon-coated metal substrate placed horizontally and cured.
[0030]
Next, the required number of display elements 20 are placed horizontally on the upper surface of the cured silicone rubber, and an electric field in the vertical direction is applied between the opposing electrodes and appropriate mechanical vibration and gradient are applied. . The display elements 20 are arranged in a dense state in a single layer with the cylinder axis aligned in one direction with the cylinder lying on the cured sheet-like silicone rubber surface.
[0031]
An uncured silicone rubber constituting the upper layer side of the support 21 is applied on the sheet-like silicone rubber on which the display elements 20 are arranged. After defoaming the applied silicone rubber, it is cured at room temperature or in a heated state. After curing, the cured sheet is peeled off from the metal substrate.
[0032]
By performing the above process while controlling the thin film of the silicone rubber, the columnar display elements 20 are irregularly arranged in a single layer at substantially the center position in the thickness direction of the support 21 made of transparent silicone rubber. A finished sheet is produced. At this stage, the cavity 21 a has not yet been formed around the display element 20.
[0033]
The sheet is immersed in a liquid such as isoparaffinic hydrocarbon or silicon oil. The silicone rubber of the support 21 swells to form a cavity 21a filled with a liquid 24 such as isoparaffinic hydrocarbon or silicon oil. This is because the silicone rubber has a property of swelling when immersed in an organic solvent, so that the cavity 21a and the liquid 24 are formed using this.
[0034]
After that, as in the first embodiment, the surface of the support 21 is laminated with a protective layer 23 of, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate film. In this way, the sheet-like display medium 2 is completed.
[0035]
Next, the operation of the sheet display device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.
(1) Display operation of one display element 20
7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for explaining the display operation of one display element 20. FIG. 7A is a Y display state, FIG. 7B is an M display state, and FIG. 7C is a C display. The state, (d) of FIG. When an upward electric field is applied, as shown in FIG. 5A, the semicircle having a positive charge is located on the upper side, the Y display region 200Y faces upward, and the display element 20 migrates upward. , Y display state. When a right electric field is applied, as shown in FIG. 2B, the semicircle having a positive charge is located on the right side, the M display region 200M faces upward, and the display element 20 migrates to the right. , M display state. When a leftward electric field is applied, as shown in FIG. 5C, the semicircle having a positive charge is located on the left side, the C display region 200C faces upward, and the display element 20 migrates to the left. , C display state. When a downward electric field is applied, as shown in FIG. 4D, the semicircular portion having a positive charge is located on the lower side, the K display region 200K faces upward, and the display element 20 migrates downward. Then, the K display state is set. Once the display element 20 changes its direction and adheres to the inner surface of the cavity 21a, an electrostatic force or van der Waals force acting between the peripheral surface 21A of the display element 20 and the inner surface of the cavity 21a is applied even if the electric field is removed. The adhesion state, that is, the display state is maintained by the attachment force. Even when the adhesive force such as electrostatic force is lost due to electrostatic noise or mechanical vibration, the specific gravity of the display element 20 is substantially the same as that of the surrounding liquid 24, so that the image display state is stably maintained. be able to.
[0036]
(2) Display operation of entire sheet-shaped display medium 2
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display operation of the display medium 2. As shown in FIG. 8, when a DC voltage is applied to the individual electrode group 34 in accordance with the input image signal S, n × m (5 × 5) display elements 20 constituting one pixel 4 are the same. A direction electric field is applied, and the same display areas 200K, 200Y, 200M, and 200C face upward, and the same color is displayed on the display side A. As shown in FIG. 8, the pixel 4A to which the downward electric field is applied is in the K display state, the pixel 4B to which the upward electric field is applied is in the Y display state, and the pixel 4C to which the right electric field is applied is The pixel 4D that is in the M display state and to which the leftward electric field is applied is in the C display state.
[0037]
According to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to provide stable non-electric image retention and excellent high-speed response as in the first embodiment.
Further, since the display element 20 whose peripheral surface is painted with four colors is used, four colors can be displayed. Further, by changing the display area ratio of each color, it is possible to easily display halftone mixed colors. Therefore, excellent coloration and multicolorization compatibility can be provided.
Further, by appropriately selecting the color of the peripheral surface of the display element 20, a clear multicolor display can be performed, and a high quality image can be obtained.
[0038]
  Next, a sheet-like display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure9These show the display element 20 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The display element 20 is configured to display three colors in the second embodiment. That is, the shell 200 is coated with a plurality of display areas equally divided in different colors in the circumferential direction, for example, a Y display area 200Y painted with yellow (Y) and magenta (M). And the C display region 200C coated with cyan (C), the surface is relatively positively and negatively charged in the liquid 24, and the display element 20 as a whole has a constant net charge. It is configured as follows. Here, the surface of the upper semicircular part, that is, the upper half centering on the Y display area 200Y has a positive charge, and is composed of the surface of the lower semicircular part, that is, the M display area 200M and the C display area 200C. The lower half has a negative charge, and the display element 20 as a whole has a positive net charge.
[0039]
FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining the electric field application direction, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the display element 20 and the individual electrode group 34. One pixel 4 is composed of one display element 20, and as shown in FIG. 10 (a), one display element 20 is driven by three individual electrodes 34b positioned at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. That is, by setting the two individual electrodes 34b of the three individual electrodes 34b to the same potential and the remaining one individual electrode 34b to the other potential, the image signal is converted into the image signal among the six electric field directions in FIG. Select and apply the electric field in the appropriate direction.
Accordingly, the positional relationship between the display element 20 and the individual electrode 34b in the display medium 2 is the positional relationship shown in FIG. 10B, and the left display element 20 is driven by the three individual electrodes 34b shown in FIG. The central display element 20 is driven by three individual electrodes 34b indicated by (B), and the right display element 20 is driven by three individual electrodes 34b indicated by (C).
[0040]
For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the pixel 4E to which the electric field in the lower right direction is applied, the semicircular portion having a positive charge is located on the lower right side, and the M display area 200M is in the upper direction. The display element 20 migrates in the lower right direction and enters the M display state. Further, in the pixel 4F to which an upward electric field is applied, the semicircle portion having a positive charge is located on the upper side, the Y display region 200Y faces upward, the display element 20 migrates upward, and the Y display state It becomes. In addition, in the pixel 4G to which the electric field in the lower left direction is applied, the semicircular portion having a positive charge is located on the lower left side, the C display region 200C is directed upward, and the display element 20 migrates in the lower left direction. Display state. As described in the first and second embodiments, the operation with the electric field removed can stably maintain the image display state.
[0041]
According to the third embodiment configured as described above, since the display element 20 whose peripheral surface is painted in three colors is used, three colors can be displayed. There is an effect similar to the form.
[0042]
FIG. 11 shows a display element according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This display element 20 has a hollow spherical shell 200, in which a porous body 203 controlled so that the display element 20 has substantially the same specific gravity as the liquid 24 is arranged in the shell 200. It is configured to display. Further, the shell 200 includes a K display area 200K and a W display area 200W in which the outer surface is differently colored in each hemisphere, for example, black (K) and white (W), and the surface is relatively relative in the liquid 24. The display element 20 as a whole has a constant net charge.
[0043]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various embodiments are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the display medium 2 is set in the driving device 3, the display medium 2 is slid to the driving device 3. However, the vertical linear electrodes and the horizontal lines are arranged inside the display medium 2. It is also possible to squeeze with a pair of members on which shaped electrodes are formed.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of a vertical linear electrode and a horizontal linear electrode is described as a combination of electrodes. However, a combination of a planar electrode and a matrix electrode group may be used.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since a clear display can be performed by appropriately selecting the color of the surface of the display element, a high-quality image can be obtained.
Further, a pair of electrodes for applying an electric field to the display medium may be combined with a longitudinal linear electrode group and a lateral linear electrode group, a combination of a planar electrode and a matrix-like individual electrode group, or a matrix-like individual electrode group. By using a combination of electrode groups, matrix-like two-dimensional driving can be performed, so that an image can be written on a sheet-like display medium at high speed, and excellent high-speed response can be provided.
In addition, since the specific gravity of the display element is substantially the same as that of the surrounding translucent liquid, it is possible to provide a non-powered image holding property that is sufficiently stable against electrostatic noise and mechanical vibration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A is a cross-sectional view showing a mounted state of a sheet-like display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a separated state thereof.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display element according to the first embodiment.
3A and 3B are diagrams showing a display mode of the sheet-like display device according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a white display state, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a black display state. .
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet-like display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display element according to a second embodiment.
6A and 6B are diagrams showing a positional relationship between the display element and the individual electrode group in the second embodiment, where FIG. 6A is a view seen from the thickness direction of the display medium, and FIG. 6B is a view seen from the display side. FIG.
7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for explaining a display operation of one display element in the second embodiment, where FIG. 7A is a Y display state, FIG. 7B is an M display state, and FIG. 7C is a C display. State (d) is a diagram showing a K display state.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display operation of the sheet display medium according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a display element according to a third embodiment.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a third embodiment, FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining an electric field application direction, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing display elements and individual electrodes; It is a figure which shows the positional relationship with a group.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display element according to a fourth embodiment.
12A is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional sheet-like display device, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of an essential part thereof.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Sheet display device
2 Sheet display media
3 Drive unit
4 pixels
20 display elements
21 Support
21a cavity
22 Magnetic layer
23 Protective layer
24 liquid
30 cases
30a wearing port
30b Contact part
31 Longitudinal linear electrode group
31a Insulation region
31b Longitudinal linear electrode
32 Horizontal linear electrode group
33 Drive circuit
34 Individual electrode group
34a Insulation region
34b Individual electrode
200 shell
200W white display area
200Y Y display area
200M M display area
200CC display area
200K K display area
201 magnetic particles
202 liquid
203 Porous material

Claims (13)

In a sheet-like display medium that holds a displayed image,
A plurality of display elements in which a surface is relatively positively and negatively charged, and has a positive or negative net charge as a whole, and a plurality of display regions for displaying a plurality of colors are formed on the surface;
It has a plurality of cavities, and the plurality of display elements are rotated in accordance with the direction of the electric field applied from the outside in the translucent liquid filled in the plurality of cavities, and at the same time are floated so as to be able to translate. It has a transparent sheet-like support arranged in a dimension,
The plurality of display elements include: a shell having a hollow portion; and a liquid that is sealed in the hollow portion and controlled so that the display element has substantially the same specific gravity as the translucent liquid. A sheet-like display medium.   The shells of the plurality of display elements are transparent shells, the liquid has a specific color, and the plurality of display areas include one of the display areas through the transparent shell. The sheet-like display medium according to claim 1 configured to display the specific color.   2. The sheet-like structure according to claim 1, wherein the shells of the plurality of display elements have a spherical shape, and the plurality of display regions are formed on the surface of the spherical shell for each hemisphere and display two colors. Display medium.   The sheet form according to claim 1, wherein the shells of the plurality of display elements have a columnar shape such as a cylinder or a prism, and the plurality of display regions are formed uniformly on a peripheral surface of the columnar shell. Display medium. In a sheet-like display device that displays and holds an image,
A plurality of display elements in which a surface is relatively positively and negatively charged, and has a positive or negative net charge as a whole, and a plurality of display regions for displaying a plurality of colors are formed on the surface;
It has a plurality of cavities and an image display surface on one surface, and rotates according to the direction of the electric field applied from the outside in the translucent liquid filled with the plurality of display elements in the plurality of cavities. A transparent sheet-like support that is floated so that it can move simultaneously with translation and arranged in a two-dimensional manner;
Electric field applying means for applying an electric field in a direction according to an image signal to the plurality of display elements and directing one of the plurality of display regions to the image display surface;
The plurality of display elements include: a shell having a hollow portion; and a liquid that is sealed in the hollow portion and controlled so that the display element has substantially the same specific gravity as the translucent liquid. A sheet-like display device.   The shells of the plurality of display elements are transparent shells, the liquid has a specific color, and the plurality of display areas include one of the display areas through the transparent shell. The sheet-like display device according to claim 5 configured to display the specific color.   The sheet-like shape according to claim 5, wherein the shells of the plurality of display elements have a spherical shape, and the plurality of display areas are formed on the surface of the spherical shell for each hemisphere and display two colors. Display device.   The sheet-like shape according to claim 5, wherein the shell of the plurality of display elements has a columnar shape such as a cylinder or a prism, and the plurality of display regions are formed uniformly on a peripheral surface of the columnar shell. Display device.   The sheet-like display device according to claim 5, wherein the voltage application unit includes a pair of electrodes that are in contact with the image display surface of the sheet-like support and a surface opposite to the image display surface.   The pair of electrodes includes a combination of a longitudinal linear electrode group and a lateral linear electrode group, a combination of a planar electrode and a matrix-like individual electrode group, or a combination of matrix-like individual electrode groups. The sheet-like display device according to claim 9.   The sheet-like display device according to claim 9, wherein the sheet-like support is configured to be detachable from the pair of electrodes. The sheet form according to claim 5 , wherein the shell of the plurality of display elements has a columnar shape such as a cylinder or a prism, and the plurality of display regions display three colors or four colors on the columnar peripheral surface. Display device. In a method for manufacturing a sheet-like display medium that holds a displayed image,
A surface is relatively positively and negatively charged, and has a positive or negative net charge as a whole, and produces a plurality of display elements in which a plurality of display areas for displaying a plurality of colors are formed on the surface.
The plurality of display elements are two-dimensionally arranged and supported inside a transparent sheet-like rubber member,
The sheet-like rubber member is rotated in accordance with the direction of the electric field applied from the outside in the translucent liquid, and at the same time is immersed so as to be capable of translational movement to swell the sheet-like rubber member, thereby the plurality of display elements. And suspended in the translucent liquid,
The production of the plurality of display elements is performed by manufacturing a sheet-shaped display medium in which a liquid controlled so that the display elements have substantially the same specific gravity as the translucent liquid is covered with a shell. Method.

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